FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

10/9/2012

AVMA Convention ranked as one of 50 fastest growing conventions by Trade Show Executive

​​(SCHAUMBURG, Ill.) October 9, 2012—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Convention has been named one of the fastest-growing trade shows in the United States by Trade Show Executive magazine in its August issue.

The magazine ranked the AVMA Annual Convention as 32nd on the magazine’s Fastest 50 list according to percentage of growth in paid exhibit space. The AVMA convention exhibit space grew by 15.2 percent from the 2010 show in Atlanta, Ga. to the 2011 event St. Louis, Mo.

“It is a tremendous honor to be ranked on the Trade Show Executive Fastest 50 list,” explains Dr. Ron Banks, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee (CMPC). “The CMPC and the Convention Division have partnered to build an annual convention that provides great educational and networking opportunities for AVMA members. Our commitment to the exhibitors is based in part upon our belief that the exhibit-hall experience is an important educational activity that benefits Convention attendees and the exhibitors. To this end, we work closely with our vendors to make sure they have every opportunity to reach out to convention attendees. It’s not simply business that occurs in the exhibit hall; it is veterinary medical education that serves AVMA’s membership.”

The Trade Show Executive rankings indicate three categories in which the 2011 AVMA Annual Convention excelled: increased square footage of paid exhibits; increased number of exhibitors; and increased attendance.

At the 2011 AVMA Convention, there were a number of first-time programs and services that helped make the convention a success. For example, a new mobile MapIt! application for iPads and smart phones helped conventioneers organize their convention experience and schedule meetings. The AVMA also introduced two new types of educational programs: Hot Topics, which focused on current events, and Inside the Issues, which presented important and controversial issues.

“We’re really pleased that, even in this tough economy, our emphasis on continually improving our programs, services and sales has resulted in a notable increase in our convention size and consequently in this recognition,” says Kelly Fox, director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division. “We want to work to ensure that we continue to increase attendance and improve continuing education programs as well as grow the number of exhibitors so that our members will be best served by our annual convention.”

The next AVMA Annual Convention is being held in Chicago, Ill. July 20-23, 2013 and it will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the AVMA.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest
veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than
86,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety
of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science
of veterinary medicine.